The TN State AFL-CIO and its five Central Labor Councils, the local bodies of the AFL-CIO, ran a robust coordinated electoral program in every part of our state this year, the largest labor electoral program in recent memory. This effort aimed to educate union members and their families about labor-endorsed candidates and to encourage them to vote.

Over the past two months, union member volunteers and paid canvassers have made over 28,000 phone calls and knocked on almost 22,000 doors. They also utilized social media, mailings, text messages, distributing flyers at worksites, candidate forums, and GOTV events to reach union voters.

“I can’t remember the last time we had this much excitement and activity around the elections,” reflected June Rostan, retiree from the AFL-CIO, and volunteer with the Knoxville-Oak Ridge Central Labor Council. “We’ve had so many candidates who were excited about gaining Labor’s endorsement, because they knew we would work to educate our members about where they stand on issues important to working families, such as Medicaid expansion, public education, wages, and collective bargaining.”

“Union members know that we are strong in the workplace, but after door knocking and calling thousands of other union members, we’re seeing that we have so much potential political power, too, and we’re working to turn that potential into a reality,” said Jeffrey Lichtenstein, Campaigns Coordinator of the AFL-CIO of Memphis.

“No matter what the outcome of the election, union members have built a strong member to member program that will continue to build power for working families long after this election cycle is over,” said Vonda McDaniel, President of the Central Labor Council of Nashville and Middle TN, and coordinator of the TN Labor 2018 Electoral Program.

Early Voting starts today, Oct 17! Not sure who to vote for? Check out these Labor Endorsed Candidates. The Central Labor Councils and the TN AFL-CIO have endorsed these candidates after an extensive screening process and believe they are the best candidates for working families in Middle TN.

Come to our Working People's Town Hall October 25, 5-7pm to educate these candidates on what issues are important to you and here from them about their priorities!

Last night we had the pleasure of welcoming our newest affiliate the Metro Nashville Education Association! We are so happy to have union teachers join our Council. We have been so inspired to see teachers standing up and exercising collective power all over the country, and we know that we are a stronger labor movement when we join together.

The CLC is running regular phone banks in support of pro-union candidates leading up to the November 6 election. See the schedule and sign up HERE. Or better yet, get your Local to cover a whole shift like CWA 3808 is doing! The union that makes the most calls will be crowned champions at our November meeting & have bragging rights as the most politically active Local in Middle Tennessee.

CLC's "I'm Union, I Vote" Election Brochure

The CLC has put together a sharp brochure with key election dates, voter registration, & Labor-endorsed candidates. Click HERE to download the brochure or contact our office to get hard copies.

Key Election Dates

October 9th is the last day to register to vote

Early voting is from October 17 to November 1

October 30 is deadline for receiving an application from a vote-by-mail ballot

November 6 is election day

Are You Registered To Vote?

A lot of people have been removed from the Tennessee's electoral rolls. You can make sure that you're registered properly HERE.

Register to Vote, Get Election Reminders, & Sign Up to Volunteer All In One Place

Thanks to Jeffrey Lichtenstein of the Memphis CLC there is now a website that makes voting easy for Tennessee union members! Check it out HERE.

Clarksville Early #UnionVoter Party

Join union members for food, music, fun, and voting on October 18 from 4:30-6 pm! Facebook event HERE.

Save The Date For Nashville "Workers' Bill of Rights" Town Hall

The CLC will hold a town hall for union members and workers to engage candidates on the issues, values, and priorities that matter to us. The event will take place on October 25. We'll let you know the location and time soon!

Union Made Political Campaign Materials

We encourage every candidate running for office who values working people to use union printers and union production companies for your campaign PR & marketing needs. Union Printers can be found HERE and Union Production Companies can be found HERE.